Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Lowered to Hold Rating by StockNews.com

StockNews.com lowered shares of Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Tuesday morning.

Sensient Technologies Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of SXT traded up $0.99 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $69.35. The company's stock had a trading volume of 266,017 shares, compared to its average volume of 213,570. Sensient Technologies has a 12-month low of $64.76 and a 12-month high of $82.99. The stock has a market cap of $2.94 billion, a PE ratio of 23.59 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 3.55 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The company's 50 day moving average is $72.69 and its 200 day moving average is $75.39.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 14th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.01. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 11.93% and a net margin of 8.01%. The business had revenue of $376.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $375.10 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.51 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 4th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.36%. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 55.78%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SXT. Freemont Capital Pte Ltd purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $449,288,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,757,000. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $24,490,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $7,270,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Sensient Technologies by 100.9% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 200,726 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $14,304,000 after acquiring an additional 100,788 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.86% of the company's stock.

About Sensient Technologies

Sensient Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets colors, flavors, and other specialty ingredients in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and Africa. The company offers flavor-delivery systems, and compounded and blended products; ingredient products, such as essential oils, natural and synthetic flavors, and natural extracts; and chili powder, paprika, and chili pepper, as well as dehydrated vegetables comprising parsley, celery, and spinach to the food, beverage, and personal care industries.